CLINICAL VALUE OF BRONCHIAL PROVOCATION TESTING IN CHILDHOOD ASTHMA

[摘要] Previous studies showed a positive relationship between results of skin tests, radioallergosorbent tests and bronchial provocation testing. Results of skin and bronchial provocation testing were compared to determine the extent to which results of provocation testing could be predicted from puncture and intracutaneous skin tests. In the 1596 provocation tests performed in 276 patients, more than 90% of patients with a wheal .gtoreq. 5 mm in diameter on skin testing by puncture technique using 1:20 wt/vol allergen extract experienced positive reactions on provocation testing for most antigens. If the wheal produced by puncture testing was < 5 mm in diameter, a large wheal on intracutaneous testing only slightly increased the likelihood of a positive challenge, but if the wheal on intracutaneous testing was < 5 mm, a positive challenge did not occur. The results of provocation tests may often be predicted from simple skin testing; in clinical use, provocation testing may be useful primarily in patients for whom skin testing indicates moderate sensitization to allergens.